An oral history project which invited local people to tell their stories – to be recorded and entered into the archives of the Dorset History Centre.
Project aims
Our aim was to train as many volunteers as possible from across the area, including lots of young people, to capture individual stories of rich rural life so they can be shared and preserved.
These stories will also inform many other Chase & Chalke projects, and be compiled as a publication to celebrate the area’s rich landscape and traditions.
By capturing these voices and stories we are:
- Providing content and inspiration for the development of other projects within the Chase & Chalke Scheme’s Cultural Landscape projects.
- Promoting and raising awareness of the rich rural life, agricultural and farming history of the area to thousands of people though sharing the recordings online.
- Providing a legacy for current and future generations to get an insight into peoples lives and experiences of living and working in this wonderful landscape.
Volunteers helped us to uncover and gather stories and living memories. From those who have experienced the Chase & Chalke area, capturing stories of how the land was managed, how wildlife patterns have changed, what craftsmanship and skills were used, such as charcoal making, coppicing, hurdle making and water-meadow management.
All volunteers received free training from industry experts in oral history, archiving and historical research to provide them with the necessary skills to embark on this exciting project.
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